In 1978, The Madera County Department of Corrections was established after separating from the Sheriff’s Office. The county jail was originally centrally located in the middle of town in an old facility that was built in the 1890’s. After a jail bond measure was passed, the current facility was built and opened for business in 1988. For 43 years the department remained as one of the few jails in the state of California that was not operated by the Sheriff.

However, in March of 2021, the Madera County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted and approved the reunification of the Madera County Department of Corrections and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. In April of 2021, the two departments were consolidated and the elected Sheriff officially gained oversight and management of the county jail operations.

With the projected growth of the county and the impacts to the county jail from prison reform, this collaborative transition is an incredible opportunity to improve services, efficacy, and modernizing practices to better serve the growing community.